Learn MoreWedding Photography PortfolioI am a Professional Wedding Photographer based in Syracuse NY. I am available for any wedding, in any location including all of Upstate and Central NY (Binghampton, Rochester, Albany, Buffalo, Seneca, Oneida and Onondaga, etc..) as well as the continental United States. My prices are very reasonable for a professional wedding photographer and I present my packages in a straightforward and simple manner.

Learn MoreEngagement PhotographySome couples wonder if Engagement Photos are truly necessary.. especially when they are on a budget or one or both don’t particularly like having their pictures taken. So why take engagement photos? (Besides just to document what a good looking couple you are!)

Daily Archives: February 1, 2013

Sometimes brides and grooms will wonder if they should get photographs of the couple getting ready before the ceremony. If their budget allows, I often suggest they do. These actually tend to be some of my favorite photographs. The energy is high and emotions are flowing. During this time I try to stay inconspicuous and out of the way. I want people to feel free to be themselves and not constantly aware that they are being photographed.

I am very excited to have stumbled across this blog and was also excited to submit some of my own work for possible inclusion in their blog or perhaps even to have one of my photographs chose as one of the best wedding photographs of the year! Excited, I read the terms and conditions and came across this. Unfortunately I won’t be participating … Handing over the copyrights to photographs I have taken at a wedding is something I am not comfortable with, nor do I think my clients would be pleased.

“Unless Junebug Weddings has otherwise expressly agreed with you in writing, by posting messages, uploading files, submitting any reviews, opinions or any other information, or engaging in any other form of communication (individually or collectively “Communications”) to Junebug Weddings or JunebugWeddings.com, you hereby grant to Junebug Weddings a perpetual, worldwide, irrevocable, unrestricted, non-exclusive, royalty free license to use, copy, license, sublicense, adapt, distribute, display, publicly perform, reproduce, transmit, modify, edit and otherwise use such Communications, in all media now known or hereafter developed. You hereby waive all rights to any claim against Junebug Weddings for any alleged or actual infringements of any proprietary rights, rights of privacy and publicity in connection with such Communications.”

Boo hoo.. Anyway, I still wanted to share this fantastic site.. perhaps some of my grooms and brides will be inspired!

To view some of my Wedding Photography please click on the following link;

Some couples wonder if engagement photos are truly necessary.. especially when they are on a budget or one or both don’t particularly like having their pictures taken. So why take engagement photos? (Besides just to document what a good looking couple you are!)

Practical reasons for booking an engagement session are so you can submit a shot to your local paper to announce your engagement. You can use them creatively in your wedding day decor, or give framed prints as gifts to your families.

Need an ultra-practical reason to schedule an engagement photo shoot? It’s a great opportunity to test-drive your wedding photographer and see what their approach and style is. I have found that couples who book an engagement session with me are often more comfortable on the day of the wedding. A rapport is built and stylistic approaches can be.

Engagement Session in Syracuse NY

PHOTOGRAPHY SCHEDULING OPTIONS

Day one/two: You might want picture of yourselves to commemorate the moment you get engaged – you’ll already be wearing a naturally happy smile and won’t feel the need to “fake it” for the camera… lol.. They don’t need to be fancy .. even a cell phone photo will do.. these are for fun and to informally announce your engagement.

When you set the wedding date: Schedule a photo shoot early in your engagement if you plan to submit a formal engagement announcement with a photo to your local paper. Be sure to check the paper’s guidelines for specific pose or print quality requirements, which may or may not be listed on the newspaper’s website. You will be able to use the images for the “Save The Date”. If this appeals to you and you’re planning to send guests an early heads-up, have photos taken eight to ten months before the wedding, in time to print and send “Save The Dates” no later than six months before the wedding..

Two to six months before: Trying out wedding day looks? Schedule hair and makeup trial appointments the same day as your engagement photo session. It is a great opportunity to try out both your MUA and Photographer and work out any kinks.

Syracuse, NY

Advantages to Engagement Session

I offer substantial discounts for couples who book a wedding package with me. I do this for one main reason – to build rapport and it also provides a good opportunity for the couple to see my style and approach with both candid and more posed photographs. In addition it also gives an opportunity for you to go over the photos and let me know which ones you like best. If you haven’t booked your nuptial shutterbug yet, look at engagement photos as a chance to be more comfortable in front of the camera on your wedding day and without wondering what you should be doing, IF you should be doing something at all! I find that couples who have booked an engagement session are more relaxed on their wedding day.

Engagement Photography

Communicate with your sweetie

Before you call a single photographer, have a heart-to-heart with your sweetie about what kinds of engagement photos you’d like — posed or candid, formal or casual. Again, let your decisions be guided by how you plan to use the pics: Will they be hanging on grandma’s wall, reproduced in black-and-white newsprint, or shrunk down to the size of a quarter for personalized favor stickers? Advance planning will help you make the most of your pictures. Some photo-friendly options to consider for your engagement shoot:

Outdoors: There’s no need to spend a day cooped up in a photographer’s studio if you don’t want to. Visit to a nearby park, botanical garden, or downtown. I may be able to suggest local sites that make great backdrops for pictures as I am familiar with a lot of great locations.

Your Home: Your home is your comfort zone and when you’re comfortable, you will look better in the photos. There is also the possibility of photographing in your home and in addition somewhere outdoors. Let me know what you have in mind and we can take it from there.

Around your world in a day: You can create a meaningful backdrop for your engagement photos by revisiting nearby places that are significant to the two of you: the restaurant where you had your first date, a location which the both of you love, the bus stop where you shared an umbrella -you get the idea. While I am taking your pictures, talk to each other and relive a few of the moments that brought you together: It’s a great recipe for a series of romantic and fun candid shots.

Get close: You probably don’t need to be persuaded to get close to your fiance, but do plan on being affectionate: hug, hold hands, sling your arm around each other, whisper in each others ears, etc.. . You’re in love and this session is all about showing the world! This is a great time to reflect and express how much you mean to one another and the love that resides between you. Besides, if you’re planning to submit a photo to a newspaper with your announcement, many publications specifically request close-up couple shots.

Syracuse Engagement and Wedding Photography

More tips

An engagement photo does not require you to shop for matching outfits. Here are some basic guidelines for dressing the part:

What to Wear?: Whether you’re going formal or casual, solid colors are encouraged. Try to avoid plaids, florals, patterns, etc… However, there are always exceptions and the most important exceptions are the ones where it reflects who you are! So if plaids are your thing, by all means where plaid! If you’re worried about color, pick a neutral and a few coordinating color tones you both like and bring a few options to the shoot.

Syracuse Wedding. Cute – Kids Kissiong

Thank you for taking time out to read this and congratulations on finding love. Love is the glue that bonds the sacred connection of two souls together. The level of love you share is special, profound and rare. Something to be in awe of and thankful for. Something to be honored, respected and treated as sacred.

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For more information about engagement and wedding photography including tips, check my blog.

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I am available for all kinds of photography beyond weddings including but not limited to; Family Portraits, Newborn Photography, Maternity Photography, Senior Pictures, Special Events, Commercial photography and Architectural photography.